Being a Montréaler, I associate Lake Placid with skiing, and thus expect that a beer called Frostbite might be a warming, soothing, après-ski kind of an ale. But despite its rich, reddish hue, this beer is about hops—not mellow malt—a fact evidenced by its big, citrusy, pine-needle aroma. There’s some plummy, faintly chocolaty malt up front in the body, but it takes little time for that to give way to an assertively hoppy middle of earthy, grapefruity notes, with just a hint of that plum lurking behind. The finish strikes a lovely balance of sweet and bitter, and makes me think that perhaps I wasn’t that far off with my original expectations, after all.- Stephen Beaumont

Wow. What a wonderfully refreshing hop/herbal aroma...as though it were brewed with a winter forest in the kettle! Very unusual hop aroma and flavor. I’d pay some good money for pints of this stuff. Malt balance is wonderfully present. Hops are not excessively aggressive. An award winner in my playing field. A beautiful beer, skillfully made.- Charles Papazian

It looks thick as it pours, a light copper beer with an impressive rocky head. A blast of American hop aroma leaps out of the glass, blending grapefruit with an entire Douglas Fir tree. Given the aroma, the palate seems surprisingly restrained at first. Round sweet malt is up front, but then there’s a whip crack of bitterness behind it, drying into the lingering finish. Well-brewed and self-assured, though I’d enjoy more malt in the center. Perfect with spicy pork tacos.- Garrett Oliver

Stephen BeaumontAuthor of five books on beer and a leader in educating bar and restaurant staff on beer, Stephen Beaumont is also the co-owner of downtown Toronto's beer cuisine restaurant and bar, beer bistro.

Charles PapazianAuthor of the New Complete Joy of Homebrewing and president of the Brewers Association, Papazian is the leading voice in beer making.

Garrett OliverInternationally recognized brewer and expert on traditional beer, Garrett Oliver is the Brewmaster of the Brookly Brewery and the author of The Brewmaster Tale.